By Alan Quick

ON FEBRUARY 10, Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton announced that a unitary structure for Exeter would be a far more potent economic force, than the current two-tier local government, for delivering growth for the city's residents and businesses.

The much-speculated announcement, one of the worst kept secrets, has caused much debate from local and national politicians.

The government says that economic development is its priority and ministers believe that Exeter as a centre of regional economic activity needs strong decisive local leadership.

It says that a unitary structure will put the city's leaders, who know their area and people best, at the heart of promoting economic growth, reducing unemployment and rebuilding the local economy.

Ministers said they were impressed by the strong and united support the proposal for unitary status for Exeter enjoyed from the city council, the people of Exeter, Exeter University and the Exeter business community.

After taking into account local views, Boundary Committee advice and other relevant information, the government says it decided there was no option but to rule out a unitary authority for the whole of Devon, as the proposal did not command support from any of the local councils.

Ministers also felt that it was not clear how such a large new council would ensure it adequately understood and reflected the needs of the diverse and dispersed communities with Devon.

It says the proposals for Exeter will now be voted on by Parliament before they become law. If Parliament approves the proposals, the affected councils can start putting in place transitional arrangements ready for elections to the new councils in 2011.

The size of the unitary status area approved is for the Exeter City boundary, comprising more than 123,500 residents and not the "Greater Exeter" it had been feared could include a much larger area, at one stage believed could even have included Crediton or Exmouth.

DECISION IS 'MADNESS'

Devon County Council leader John Hart said: "This decision is complete madness and we will fight it all the way.

"The Government's decision shows utter contempt for the wishes of local people.

"We predicted last week this would cost every Exeter council taxpayer an extra £200 on their bills and Rosie Winterton confirms people in the city will pay more for less. But so will every resident across Devon.

"It is a vanity project that has already been rejected by every expert with the Boundary Committee. This Government itself discounted it as a hugely costly and unworkable option before, bad for the city and the people of Devon. Rosie Winterton agrees with that analysis.

"But tearing Devon apart and splitting up vital services like social care and schools which the county council now provides effectively, efficiently and economically is simply madness.

"Ms Winterton says a unitary Exeter will be a far more potent force for delivering positive economic outcomes for the city. Tell that to the Devon and Cornwall Business Council who say it flies in the face of the efficient working of both businesses in Devon and the Devon economy.

"Rather than getting distracted by this kind of needless disruption, we should be investing all our money, time and effort on helping the county recover from recession and improving people's lives. This is what I and my colleagues have been doing.

"We are investing in jobs through developments like the Exeter Science Park and planning modern, public transport systems to service the growing city as it expands.

"One of the smallest unitary authorities in the country will lack the economy of scale to match investments like this.

"Sadly, this Government is putting short-term electoral advantage above the well-being of people in Devon and Exeter and that is despicable."

JUDICIAL REVIEW

Devon County Council has now begun "expensive" legal proceedings, likely to be in the form of a Judicial Review to "kill off" Exeter's hopes of independence from Devon.

'BONKERS'

Shadow county council leader Brian Greenslade said of the Government's announcement: "Stark staring bonkers comes mind. But cynical political manipulation is also an appropriate description.

"This could be Ben Bradshaw's parting gift to Exeter - a £200 a household increase in council tax to pay for his political fortunes.

'NOT GOOD NEWS'

Mid Devon District Council Leader Peter Hare-Scott said: "At last we have a decision. Whilst this is welcome news for Mid Devon District Council it is not good news for Devon.

"We, along with most other districts, have been consistent in our approach and continually emphasised the strong case for keeping the districts in Devon. This announcement reflects the wishes of local residents in the rural areas and retains the present Councillor representation and local responsiveness.

"However, a unitary Exeter will necessitate a whole new unnecessary bureaucracy and create great difficulties for Devon County Council. It is politically motivated and wholly irresponsible."

'A TRAGEDY'

The plans have been described as "a tragedy" by West Devon Borough Council leader James McInnes.

Cllr McInnes said that he believed the decision was made to support Exeter Labour MP Ben Bradshaw.

He added: "The Government is carving up Devon for its own political gain which will fracture the county irrevocably. This is a tragedy for Devon.

"The former Secretary of State Hazel Blears told us just over two years ago that a unitary Exeter was financially unviable. If the figures didn't stack up for Exeter in 2007, they surely won't stack up now particularly as we are just emerging from one of the longest recessions in history.

"This entire process has wasted millions of pounds in public money and precious time for all the local authorities involved."

Last month Cllr McInnes joined a delegation of Devon council leaders and MPs who met Miss Winterton at Westminster. They urged her to drop the review saying any changes would cause major upheaval for residents and cost millions of pounds to implement.

Cllr McInnes told the Minister that more than £1-million had already been saved in the last three years through shared working arrangements between South Hams District Council and West Devon.

Nationally, the Conservatives have said they will give a manifesto commitment to overturn any unitary plans made by the government.

LOWER TAXES

Exeter's Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said the move could lead to lower council taxes through increased efficiency.

He also rejected fears over council tax rises as "scare stories".

Meanwhile, Cllr Pete Edwards, chair of Exeter City Council's local government review committee, hit out at Devon County Council.

"To say that Council Tax bills in Exeter will go up by £200 is a blatant lie and the County know it!" he blasted.

"We all know, the county knows and anyone who has followed this saga from the beginning knows, that the government will simply not allow us to pay for transitional costs by raising Council Tax bills. Becoming a unitary will not, I repeat not, result in rises to Council Tax.

"At the end of the day, Exeter is going to become a unitary authority whether Devon County Council like it or not. The government has listened closely to what local people, organisations and businesses have said. Exeter is different from the rest of Devon and for all of Devon to flourish and succeed, the city needs this change."